What is Portugal 2020?

Portugal 2020 is a partnership agreement between the EU commission and Portugal.

Portugal 2020 program, it is the largest project focused on research support through the co-financing of research and innovation in Europe. The partnership between the EU commission and Portugal has raised an amount of over 25 billion from 2014 to 2020.

According to data from the report of the EU commission, the investment comes from five European structures and investment funds: Cohesion Fund, European Social Fund, European Regional Fund, European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The main goal of the EU Commission investment is to stimulate scientific and technological excellence in Europe, for Portugal to become sustainable and competitive in innovation and technology.   

Portugal’s project is organized into four topics to implement:

• Competitiveness and internalization: Increase investment in research and development for innovation to generate: more skilled jobs, empower small and medium-sized enterprises to operate more confidently in global markets, and improve logistics services to reduce transportation time.

• Social Inclusion and Employment: Improve the access of young people to the labor market, inclusive market (for young, old, foreigners), improve access to health and social services, and promote active inclusion and equal opportunities.

• Human Capital: Improve the quality of education and training, enhance the importance of professional practice and higher education, and improve the employability of young people.

• Sustainability and Resource Efficiency: Invest in renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and smart grids, increase adaptability to climate change, reduce and recycle waste, and promote efficient water management.